If you hang around a creative community long enough, you’ll hear of people getting jobs that you don’t necessarily want for yourself (if you’re able to do them at all), but you’re very happy that someone you know got a good job.

Digital Webbing is a great place for people to come, hone their skills, share knowledge, and find support for the work you do. (And if you can’t find support, then either you’re doing it wrong where your personality is concerned, or your work isn’t yet up to snuff.) I’m not saying it’s all bright light and fuzzy bunnies—there are people who come through who are just negative and nasty and don’t have anything good to say about anything, but those people are few and far between.

While Digital Webbing isn’t necessarily a launching pad for talent, it definitely helps. There was a point in time when a lot of new creators for Marvel and DC had Digital Webbing as something in common. It had a heyday, and things were great.

It now takes a bit longer for a discovery to come out of there. Actually, discovery isn’t always the correct word, because some of the creators who are getting jobs now have been around for years on other projects before getting to play with the major toys.

I’m proud to say I know the men and women who get to do the work they love. I’ve done work with some creators who have gone on to work for the Marvel and DC, and I’ve wanted to work with others before they got through those doors.

Hang around a creative community for a while. See who’s doing what. Be personable, approachable, and try not to hurt yourself by being overly aggressive. (This only matters if you’re not-good to mediocre. A lot can and will be forgiven if you’re good at what you do.) Celebrate those who get the good jobs.

You do enough good work and make the connections, and that could then be you.